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You’d think that after our last meeting and training this morning, there wouldn’t be many more surprises up her sleeve. But that’s the thing about Scar, she always has more secrets. It’s not a bad thing, just built on years of having to cover her tracks so thoroughly.
Both her and Jade are visibly exhausted after their sparring match. Jade put up a much bigger fight than I’ve ever seen in her. If any of us were worried about Ciar’s latest attack ruining her progress, we didn’t need to be. If anything, it lit a fire within her. It was clear with every hit she took, and every jab she landed back.
More than anything though, it was her request to hear about Rachel that solidified she was done taking things sitting back. She was climbing to her feet and ready to take control over her own life.
Even so, her fidgeting gave away that maybe she wasn’t entirely ready to take the reins. Of course Scar would pick up on it and attempt to ease our way into the conversation.
I know telling them all about her real identity had multiple purposes, to break the tension, to let them in closer, and to comfort Jade that she isn’t the only one with a messy past.
I’m just not sure it had quite the effect Scar was hoping for.
Everyone stares at her in shock as they realize she’s the long lost Charlotte Devereaux. I can’t help but laugh at how mindfucked everyone is over the news. It’s a lot funnier this time than when she told Noah, Ry, and Declan.
She’s so calm as she throws the information out there as if she isn’t giving so much of her past away, while also solving one of America’s most debated over true crime stories.
“Speaking of family history, ready to talk, Jade?” she asks, as everyone is still collectively trying to pick their brains up off the floor where they exploded.
I snort as she looks around, her mouth partly open, ice cream visible. It’s kind of impressive it hasn’t started leaking out of her mouth. “Sure, why not?” she mumbles over the ice cream. I knew she wanted to have this conversation, she’s stronger than she was even just last week. I just don’t think she expected it to start like this.
Everyone else exchanges equally confused and amused expressions at the leap in conversations, but I understand Scar. She did it on purpose. Exposed herself so that Jade wasn't the only one being put on blast. She’s about to learn more about her past than she’s ever had the chance too, and in front of a crowd.
Noah hands over the file of information he’s collected on Jade and Rachel to her. She wastes no time opening it and starts to leaf through the papers and photos in there. Ian leans over to look over her shoulder as well.
I knew it wouldn’t take long for Jade to be ready for some answers about Rachel after all. Based on her performance with Scar today, I think it’s safe to say all the questions have been riding her hard.
Her nerves and exhaustion are clear too. She didn’t just fight Scar with the purpose of training or the desire for strength. No, this was a new Jade we saw today. I know I’m not the only one who saw it either.
All of us watching her couldn’t help but feel proud of the way she absorbed every attack Scar aimed at her and kept coming back. She wasn’t going full out with her, but she wasn’t going easy on Jade either. She’s going to feel that tomorrow, but she held her own.
I wasn't surprised at all when she collapsed to the mat after Declan called their sparring match and immediately asked for answers about Rachel.
She’s not just running and hiding from her demons anymore. She’s determined to overcome them and she just proved to all of us that she has the grit to make it happen.
There’s almost no emotion on her face as she gets some of her answers. I personally think there’s enough to confirm what Alec has told us, but Scar has refused to push it. I get why, and I know waiting for Jade to be ready was a big part of it. I just can’t get over the feeling that Rachel could be a really good thing for Jade.
I would never do anything to put her at risk. I care about her as much as Scar does. I’m just as protective. I just trust people more easily than Scar has ever been able to. It took her years to let Luca in. Forgive me for thinking she’s probably not the best person to rely on when it comes to letting new people in.
I sit back and just observe as Jade looks through the file and Ian starts to ask Scar questions. She explains to him and everyone else here just why blood doesn’t mean much to her. Why she hasn’t run DNA tests yet when she had the capability to do so.
How could I even argue with her?
Her father and mother damn near killed her. My own dad is the reason I ever got involved in the fights in the first place. He turned me into the monster I am today.
It’s easy to agree with Scar on that, impossible to argue against her when she lifts her shirt and points out her scars on her abdomen and chest. The accumulation of just what exactly her DNA gave her.
“So no. The DNA results aren’t what is important. It’s her intentions,” she explains. This is where she loses me. Yeah, Rachel’s intentions are the deciding factor, I just think she has good ones.
“Why she wanted to find Jade? Where the fuck was she when Jade was living in shitty foster homes? How did she find out about her and why the fuck didn’t she save her from being fucking sold? What if their dad was a part of it? What if she was too? What if it is some weird mafia obsession about heirs and Jade is a threat to the throne Rachel’s built for herself?”
They’re all good questions, but ones only Rachel herself can give us answers to. The only real way to move forward is to bring her in and ask them. I think she will have the answers that make everything else make sense.
“The DNA test is a start,” Jade points out. Pride fills me as she takes everything in stride. She really has already grown so much since we met her and I know she isn’t anywhere near done. She drops the file on the table and says everything that I’ve been thinking. “Everything in there leans towards yes. Our blood types, the timelines, the hair. It lines up. The only way we find everything else out is by talking to Rachel. Getting some answers. But she can’t give us them if we never ask her.”
Scar huffs but I can see the pride gleaming in her eyes. She has nothing against Rachel. I actually know for a fact she’s hoping for the best when it comes to this. She would hate to kill Rachel, but make no mistakes, she will. I’ll back her if Rachel turns out to be lying or after Jade.
I like the woman, respect her even, but Jade is family. She will always come first.
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Scar asks.
